‘Fiddler on the Roof’ - By Eloise Marie Valadez
Music Theater Works has a hit with its latest production || ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ continues to draw audiences at North Shore Center
Music Theater Works has a hit with its latest production || ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ continues to draw audiences at North Shore Center
Theatre at the Center in Munster was transformed into a Catholic school classroom on July 20, 2025, when Liz Cloud as “Sister” took the stage wearing the full habit of the old-school nun in the one-woman show, Late Nite Catechism. The show, celebrating its 32nd anniversary, was written by Vickie Quade and Maripat Donovan. This nostalgic comedy involves lots of audience interaction, so no two shows are the same.
Theater fans will be engrossed in an experimental play currently being presented by TUTA Theatre in Chicago.
“White Rabbit, Red Rabbit’” which has been extended through September 29th, easily draws audience members into the work by playwright Nassim Soleimanpour. The playwright is a censored Iranian/German writer whose work speaks about a myriad of topics from the state of contemporary Iran to censorship, power struggles in the world, trust and even suicide.
The stage of The Goodman Theatre in Chicago is currently aglow with a soaring production of “The Color Purple: The Musical.” The production runs through Aug. 3 at Goodman's Albert Theatre.
‘Love's Labour's Lost” proves entertaining choice for outdoor theater viewing
Climb into this time machine and glide back to the 50’s and ‘60s with "Forever Plaid."
‘Dhaba on Devon Avenue’ an enchanting serving of food for the soul -- and potential second chances
Chef Neeraj’s world is closing in on him in more ways than one. And, despite his talented daughter and sous chef Rita’s tireless efforts to update and enhance the traditional Sindhi menu to revive their decades-old Devon Avenue restaurant in Chicago, Neeraj is having not having it.
Helen Shaw…You’re wrong! Prior to going to see this production at Theo Theater, I checked to see where it had played and looked at reviews. “Diana, The Musical” played in New York City just before the Pandemic closed down live theater. Helen Shaw, an NYC reviewer said this… “ “Diana The Musical” is almost as bad as her (Princess Diana) marriage!” I had low expectations after reading Ms. Shaw’s review. And, what a nice surprise… I loved it!
I’ve had encounters with a few senior residences. First my mother, then my mother-in-law and how far behind could I be? And so did Paul Stroili, the creator of this fun story. It was his inspiration to write “A Juke Box for The Algonquin”. His characters are looking for some extra excitement and especially desiring that old time rock n’ roll music.
So many theaters do the same old same old productions. Nothing against these but they just keep reappearing. I guess they prefer to go the safe classic route with tried and trues but a repeat every 5-10 years would be sufficient. So…my hats off to neighborhood theater Skokie Theatre for having the courage to try something out of the box.